It just never seems to stop for federal agent Jack Bauer. First, he managed to save candidate David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert) from assassination. It wasn't over. Soon after, Jack was called to prevent the detonation of a nuclear bomb in Los Angeles. Unfortunately for Jack, another bad day is on the horizon. This season takes place three years after the ending of the second season, where the President was suffering from a mysterious ailment that he got from a handshake. A van deposits a body outside an LA health office that had been suffering from a deadly virus. Tony (Carlos Bernard) picks up information that this is the hint of a blackmail threat that involves drug dealer Ramon Salazar, whom Jack has just brought down. If Salazar isn't released, then his brother will release a the virus into Los Angeles.

As the episode begins, we learn more: Jack became hooked on heroin to try and get undercover to bust Salazar; Palmer has recovered and is back on the campaign trail and Palmer has a new partner, Chase (James Badge Dale). Kim (Elisha Cuthbert), Jack's daughter, has also returned and is now working at CTU, despite throughts from other co-workers that she got the job due to her father. She also has a connection to Chase that she has yet to share with Jack. Elsewhere, a young man named Kyle has come in contact with a large bag of powder - while he has plans for it, he doesn't know he's being viewed from afar. To provide more tidbits about the season would be ruining the surprises.

The third season of "24" continues the elements of the show that has made it popular. Successfully boasting a real-time format, the show links crisis-to-crisis in a way that often makes the nearly hour-long program rip forward with remarkable tension and urgency, not to mention some solid twists and surprises. Season three isn't quite as strong as the first and second seasons of the show, but Sutherland still remains a very strong anchor. There are also other solid performances here, including Bernard and his character's relationship with co-worker Michelle (Reiko Aylesworth). Haysbert is once again offers a marvelous performance as Palmer. Cuthbert is allowed to get into less ridiculous situations this time around and, as a result, her character is stronger and more compelling. Joaquin De Almeida also makes for a convincingly menacing villain.

"24"'s third season isn't its best, but the show still remains a nail-biter. The first half contains some unnecessary sub-plots and takes a little while to get going, but once it starts, the season largely goes into high gear.